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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
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    Default I’m Here And Struggling To Enjoy

    It takes plenty to make me leave a Disney trip. Heck, not sure if I have ever wanted to leave one. Until now. Not enjoying the safety protocols at all. Wearing a mask all day in this heat is insufferable. I’m here with my son and we just leave the parks and go swimming so we can unmask. Buses have six safe zones in them so only six groups can ride at a time. A group can consist of just one person. Mostly empty buses stop in the morning and can fit only one group from the bus stop before departing many times. We were in Disney Springs several times. It took snot 25 minutes to be let into World of Disney. I know Disney is doing all it can to ensure NO ONE contracts anything from anyone in its property ever again for fear of being sued for putting profits ahead of people, but this is truly unenjoyable. We waited 40 minutes to be allowed into the Market Place in Galaxy’s Edge. One group may shop at a time in each venue. We arrived in time to attempt the 2:00 pm window for ROTR. At 1:59, I clicked to join. WiFi off. On cellular. Pulled to refresh once. All gone within :04! My son hates it here and keeps asking “How long do we have to stay here again,” Everything is full price though, but I feel like I’m getting 1/4 experience. Just my opinion so far.
    WDW - 99 Off Site
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    WDW - 19 Wilderness
    WDW - 20 C.Beach

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  4. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
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    Arizona
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    I am sorry you aren't finding it enjoyable. Perhaps you can go do some things outside of Disney to have more fun.
    I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.

  5. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
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    Huntsville, Alabama
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    I hate it for you. It sounds exactly like I would expect and I won't be having any part of it. The funny thing is they are planning on increasing the amount of people they allow into the parks. I don't know how that is all supposed to work when from all accounts I have head, it is just like your experience. On top of that, you get to pay the same as you would have if everything was normal. I can't imagine wearing a mask in the parks. I can't even make it through Lowes or Walmart without pulling mine off as I am walking from one end to the other. I typically only put it back on if someone wearing one comes on the same isle as me, just to make them happy.

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  7. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
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    Blacksburg, VA
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    I'm sorry that you're not having a good time. We're planning to go in December, and it will be cooler, so I think it will be easier to have the mask on. But, i'm also used to a mask as I work on a University campus. Unless i'm alone in my office, I'm wearing a mask, and I'm working 8-10 hour days. So, a lot of mask wearing. Sometimes I forget I even have it on. I expect that's what it will be like for me at Disney.

    We find the busses a terrible way to get around even when they can pack them full. I can't even imagine waiting for one now. We're driving down when we go, so we'll have our own vehicle to get around.

    I heard that there are Relaxation Stations around the parks where you can go and sit without a mask on, if you need a mask break. I thought that was a good idea. The people I heard that from said that they used them, loved them, and never found one that was full. Also, I love that there is no rope drop, that they have hand sanitizer at the entrances and exits to all rides, etc. There are some things I wish they would keep once this gets back to normal.
    2002 - 2022: 20+ visits (POR, BW, All Stars, VWL, CSR, BLT, BC, SSR, CB, Dolphin, OKW, Poly, offsite x8)
    DL - 1996, 2019
    Next up - January 2023 short trip! We just want to try that 50th Anniversary chocolate monstrosity at Mexico!

  8. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
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    Sorry to hear you're having a tough time with it. I've been visiting most weekends since August and haven't found the mask requirement to be a problem but I realize everyone's different.

  9. #6
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    Jan 2001
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    I know Disney is doing its best. And I know they can’t continue to hemorrhage money as they have been. I’m pretty understanding. Today, though was pretty poor on their part. We are staying in Trinidad in Caribbean Beach Resort. If you’re a veteran, you know the buses in Trinidad are poorly executed. Animal kingdom opened at 8:00 am today. My son and I arrived at 7:12 to catch the bus. We were fourth in line. If you know the system, you know Trinidad is last stop and many times the bus is full already and doesn’t even come to our bus stop. There used to be a Disney Cast Member observing and would call for a dedicated bus. Not today. 7:37 before the first Animal Kingdom arrived. It till only one family. No more until I ordered an Uber and left at 8:23. I missed out on FOP. By the time we arrived, the line was shred’s long. Not their best effort today.

  10. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
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    Wilmington DE
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    Super bummed! So sorry to hear that your experience hasn't been better. Hopefully Disney will get their act together in 2021!
    Beth & David

    09/82 Treehouse Villas, 06/86 BVP, 10/95 CBR, 10/99 DI, 08/03 PORS, 10/05 POP, 11/06 AKL, 09/09 POLY, 10/10 Wonder, 05/11 Dream/PORS, 08/13 POLY, 11/13 GF, 04/15 POLY, 11/15 BLT, 11/16 Aulani, 03/17 BLT, 08/18 BLT, 07/19 AKL, 06/21 BLT

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  12. #8
    Join Date
    May 2000
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    Houston, TX
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    Thank you for your honesty about the trip so far. I think it's important that people get real feedback so they know what to expect if they are going to WDW in the near future. I hope that things get better for you and you can still make some happy memories there.
    Beth
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  14. #9
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    I will say this: the Cast Members are doing their absolute best to make the most of a difficult situation. Kudos to them.

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  16. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 1999
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    va beach, va usa
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    I was there the week before. While it is not the disney experience we have been used to, it is the new reality. When I went I told myself not to expect the same thing or what it was in the late 90s. I would do what I could and not worry about the rest. Sure, I was disappointed by some things but I would go back again right now if I could. I am lucky to have the opportunity. If you think it wont live up to your expectations then dont go. If you want a brief respite from the crazy thing this world has become, its worth it. At least it was for me.

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  18. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
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    Bethel Park, PA
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    How disappointing for both you and your son. How are the crowds and the wait times?
    We are going down in November. Thanks for the heads up.
    * 2003 - Beach Club
    * 2004 - Downtown Disney
    * 2004 - ASS
    * 2005 - ASS
    * 2006 - Disneyland
    * 2008 - CSR
    * 2009 - CSR
    * 2010 - Beach Club
    * 2012 - CSR - (2)
    * 2013 - POP
    * 2013 - ASM
    * 2014 - Pop (2)
    * 2015 - CSR
    * 2017 - POP
    * 2019 - POP
    * 2020 - POP
    * 2021 - POP

  19. #12
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    Jan 2001
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    0-for-3 in Rise Of the Resistance. We arrived on Tuesday and went straight to Hollywood studios. I arrived in plenty of time, information insider tips in hand. Tried several times. “All Available Passes Have Been Distributed.” No problem I have two chances on Saturday.

    Yesterday, because of how poor the buses are at Trinidad in the morning and we missed Animal Kingdom‘s opening, I was determined not to let that happen again. Park opens at 10, according to the Disney App, but guests can enter at 9. After only a few minutes of bus disappointment, I call Ūber. Mistake. Ūber isn’t allowed to enter until 9. By the time we get through security and the gates, it’s 9:40. Turns out, rides opened at 9:00 and already are at 90-120 for the main attractions. No problem. I’m here for ROTR. At 9:58, my alarm goes off to remind to switch to cellular. (I heard that helps.) 10:00 and JOIN becomes active. I go to the screen, panic and select SELECT ALL. Only two of us are here. The rest are back in Pittsburgh. All seven get selected. Nothing open. I go back. Deselect the five not attending. JOIN. Error message. Reload. JOIN. “Oops, something went wrong!” Reload. JOIN. All gone. One more shot.

    1:37 and we go into Toy Story Mania. Would we miss? 1:52 exit. Quick bathroom. 1:58 reminder. Switch to cellular. 2:00. “JOIN” turns blue. Select just me and my son this time. (Incredibly nervous!) Red Box, nothing available Reload. JOIN. “Oops, something went wrong!” Reload. JOIN. Red box. Reload. JOIN “Oops, something went wrong!” Switch to WiFi. Try again. “Sorry, all passes have been distributed.”

    One of many disappointments this trip.

  20. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
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    Quote Originally Posted by MrPeetrie View Post
    0-for-3 in Rise Of the Resistance. We arrived on Tuesday and went straight to Hollywood studios. I arrived in plenty of time, information insider tips in hand. Tried several times. “All Available Passes Have Been Distributed.” No problem I have two chances on Saturday.

    Yesterday, because of how poor the buses are at Trinidad in the morning and we missed Animal Kingdom‘s opening, I was determined not to let that happen again. Park opens at 10, according to the Disney App, but guests can enter at 9. After only a few minutes of bus disappointment, I call Ūber. Mistake. Ūber isn’t allowed to enter until 9. By the time we get through security and the gates, it’s 9:40. Turns out, rides opened at 9:00 and already are at 90-120 for the main attractions. No problem. I’m here for ROTR. At 9:58, my alarm goes off to remind to switch to cellular. (I heard that helps.) 10:00 and JOIN becomes active. I go to the screen, panic and select SELECT ALL. Only two of us are here. The rest are back in Pittsburgh. All seven get selected. Nothing open. I go back. Deselect the five not attending. JOIN. Error message. Reload. JOIN. “Oops, something went wrong!” Reload. JOIN. All gone. One more shot.

    1:37 and we go into Toy Story Mania. Would we miss? 1:52 exit. Quick bathroom. 1:58 reminder. Switch to cellular. 2:00. “JOIN” turns blue. Select just me and my son this time. (Incredibly nervous!) Red Box, nothing available Reload. JOIN. “Oops, something went wrong!” Reload. JOIN. Red box. Reload. JOIN “Oops, something went wrong!” Switch to WiFi. Try again. “Sorry, all passes have been distributed.”

    One of many disappointments this trip.
    I feel like they really screwed up with Rise of the Resistance. We had issues trying to get on last December. It took me 9 months to be excited about Disney again after that.
    I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.

  21. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by DisneyDadfromPittsburgh View Post
    How disappointing for both you and your son. How are the crowds and the wait times?
    We are going down in November. Thanks for the heads up.
    DisneyDad, things seemed to have changed yesterday. Hollywood Studios was Far more crowded than on Tuesday. Ride lines were shut at some points due to full capacity. Very crowded. And they had the road coned off to enter the gates for non-guests until 9:00 am so only Disney Guests could enter through their transportation, which was horrible!!! I’m dreading Magic Kingdom today. Last day though.

  22. #15
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
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    Bethel Park, PA
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    Thanksl for the continued updates. Sounds like a total mess. I am sure you are trying to make the most of it for your son. Hang in there.
    * 2003 - Beach Club
    * 2004 - Downtown Disney
    * 2004 - ASS
    * 2005 - ASS
    * 2006 - Disneyland
    * 2008 - CSR
    * 2009 - CSR
    * 2010 - Beach Club
    * 2012 - CSR - (2)
    * 2013 - POP
    * 2013 - ASM
    * 2014 - Pop (2)
    * 2015 - CSR
    * 2017 - POP
    * 2019 - POP
    * 2020 - POP
    * 2021 - POP

  23. #16
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    I hope you get to enjoy your last day. You are probably up and getting ready for the parks right now.
    I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.

  24. #17
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    We persevered. I’m not sure what Disney is thinking here. They clearly had a lot of guests in the park. It looked close to normal capacity for October. But their ride throughput stayed the same — two rows ONLY per POTC boat; one group per row. (A group can be as little as one person.) Many, many empty spaces for social distancing. Their queue was around 60-75 minutes for much of the day. Because of spacing, the queue serpentined through the pillars, outside and around the attraction building, along the wall up to the vendor cart by Jungle Cruise, turned 180° and went back past the POTC attraction, ending near the restroom entrances. Why? If you’re going to increase park attendance, increase a corresponding ride throughout. They could have eaten those lines up. No FastPasses, but they were allowing a VIP purchase that acted like a FP. We spent the majority of the day in lines — lines to ride, lines to get into shops for merchandise, lines to wait for a place to sit to eat because many of the tables are closed off.

  25. #18
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
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    As others have said - thank you for sharing this information. I am sorry the trip was disappointing for you. We typically go every year, but skipped this summer. We were already frustrated before Covid at some of the hassles associated with a Disney World vacation, but the good still outweighed the bad for us. However, I think things like what you have described would push us over the edge. We will hope that things get back to 'normal' for this summer. Our greatest hope is that some positive changes can come out of all this.

  26. #19
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
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    Quote Originally Posted by Park Hopper View Post
    As others have said - thank you for sharing this information. I am sorry the trip was disappointing for you. We typically go every year, but skipped this summer. We were already frustrated before Covid at some of the hassles associated with a Disney World vacation, but the good still outweighed the bad for us. However, I think things like what you have described would push us over the edge. We will hope that things get back to 'normal' for this summer. Our greatest hope is that some positive changes can come out of all this.
    This exactly. I have been frustrated my last several trips just from all the crazy changes, prescheduling and constantly having to be on the app on my phone to check times and make changes. There is absolutely no way I could deal with all the nonsense going on now. I would most likely end up being escorted to the exit on day one.

  27. #20
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    My feeling on this entire trip can be capsulized like this:

    I don’t feel like I’m on vacation; I feel like I’ve been sentenced to a nicely adorned work camp. No fun allowed.

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